How To Remove Critters From Your Attic
Have you noticed the faint pitter-patter of tiny feet coming from your ceiling? Or perhaps droppings indicating a small creature has taken up residence in your attic? Realizing you have pesky critters for roommates can be a scary thought, but there's no need to panic. Whether your animal is a mouse, rat, squirrel, possum, pigeon, or even a raccoon, you can take these steps to empty your attic of its current occupants.
Close Entry Holes
Pests are attracted to attics for a reason—they're a safe, warm environment for escaping the weather. These spaces are especially prized by pregnant critters looking to give birth and raise young. Most pests can easily identify holes for entry into an attic by the slight breeze or warmth coming from inside. Some pests even chip away at smaller holes until they're big enough for entry. To close such holes, you'll first need to identify them. Birds and larger critters are not too hard to track the patterns of—if you sit outside or set up a camera in the area you suspect, you'll usually pinpoint the spot they're using after a day or two. For rodents and other small critters, however, you will have to conduct an in-depth search around every part of the property, and even then, there's no guarantee you've found every entry hole. For smaller, more elusive entrances, it's best to hire someone experienced in critter removal and control to inspect your house.
Set Traps
Some critters require you to set traps right on the main entry hole before sealing it off—squirrels are a good example of this necessity. For pests like rats, however, you'll want to seal off entrances to prevent stragglers from coming back inside before dealing with the remaining pests in your attic. In general, traps are a good way of luring critters out of their hiding places, whether they're raccoon-sized or just little mice. The kind of trap you use definitely depends on the pest. Make sure you're using a method specifically designed for your type of pest. Some critters have very specific removal tactics and may leave you wondering about finding local critter removal and control. Many critters have laws attached to their removal, and those regulations are especially strict in the protections of bats. Always do research before attempting a removal! If there is any ambiguity, call a professional.
Disinfect and Repair
Once the scurrying is gone and you've checked your traps regularly for days without any activity, it's almost time to let out a sigh of relief—almost. Remember that even though the pest is gone, its droppings can leave behind bacteria, viruses, and possibly parasites. Critters are also notorious for chewing up wiring, insulation, upholstery, or even wood, so cleaning and repairing the attic after they're gone is a very good idea. Not to mention, the odor left behind by previous critters can attract other animals in the future! If you're dealing with critter removal and control in Arizona, consider hiring a professional to make sure you're protected against future unwanted residents.
Call a Professional Pest Controller
Perhaps you're wondering to yourself, after all this, should I just find critter removal near me? If your own methods have failed you, or if you're tired of fighting the good fight all alone, there's no shame in having the problem handled by a professional. Critter control costs are usually dependent on the size of the infestation and work required to resolve the issue, so you can even get a quote from a critter control Scottsdale professional, for instance, before deciding if it's worth the cost.
Discovering that you have unwanted roommates living on your top floor can lead to a lot of work, money, and time to handle. You will either need a lot of patience to do it yourself or the willingness to pay for professionals to handle it for you. Whatever you do, however, don't delay—the problem will only multiply in the meantime!
